All you need to know about orthodontic treatments, braces, and retainers

What is Orthodontics?

By definition, orthodontics is a special branch of dentistry that is essentially the practice of straightening misaligned teeth or malocclusions. Also, the term “orthodontics” is formed by combining two Greek words, i.e. ‘orthos’ meaning straight, and ‘dontics’ meaning teeth.

Similarly, dentists that specialise in orthodontics are called orthodontists. So while all orthodontists can be called dentists, not all dentists can be called orthodontists, since orthodontics is a specialised branch, while dentistry is a very broad term.

Now that we know what orthodontics is and who orthodontists are, let us get to know what dental problems classify under orthodontics and what are their treatment procedures.

Dental Problems that come under Orthodontics

Orthodontic issues may be caused due to a lot of reasons, but eventually are treatable with ease using orthodontic treatments like clear aligners. That said, let’s quickly go over the many types of orthodontic issues one may encounter:

1. Teeth Gap

It’s a condition in which there are gaps or spaces present between teeth and is most noticeable when present between the upper front two teeth. As for how it’s caused, bad habits like thumb sucking can lead to teeth gaps. Also, underlying issues in which the size of one’s teeth is too small when compared to their jawbone may also lead to teeth gaps.

If left untreated, teeth gaps may cause tooth decay, gum disease, and changes in the position of other teeth.

2. Forwardly Placed Teeth

It’s an issue wherein the upper teeth stick out far beyond the lower teeth. It is caused due to thumb sucking, genetic defects, missing or crowded teeth, and may lead to irreparable teeth damage due to grinding, intense jaw pain & headaches, and difficulty in speaking.

3. Crossbite

The condition in which the top and bottom teeth do not come together in the correct position when the jaw is closed is known as a crossbite. Its causes include genetics, delayed loss of baby teeth, and poor habits like too much pacifier, finger, or thumb sucking.

If you let it be and do not get it treated, crossbite may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, intense jaw pain, disproportionate face growth, and severe headaches.

4. Crowded Teeth

In this issue, there’s very little space in one’s mouth, or their jaw is too small. Pretty much the opposite of teeth gaps, it is caused when the size of the teeth is bigger than the jaw, or if one has lost their primary teeth way too early leading to other teeth taking up the empty spaces.

5. Open Bite

The issue in which the upper and lower teeth do not touch in the front or the back of the mouth even when the jaw is closed is known as an open bite. Caused due to bad habits like tongue thrusting, biting of nails, thumb or pacifier-sucking, and chewing pencils, open bite may lead to issues such as mouth breathing, snoring, trouble in biting or chewing food, dry mouth leading to poor oral hygiene, and a lot more.

6. Underbite

When the lower teeth protrude further than the upper teeth, we get what’s called an underbite. This condition is hereditary in most cases, but can also be caused due to bad habits such as too much thumb or pacifier sucking, and tongue thrusting.

It’ll be unwise to take this issue lightly because if left untreated, underbite may lead to teeth and gum disease, difficulty in breathing, chewing, & swallowing, and intense jaw pain.

7. Deep Bite

The condition wherein the top front teeth vertically overlap the bottom teeth by more than 2 mm is known as a deep bite. In terms of causes, a deep bite has two broad kinds of them, which are:

• Acquired causes like changes in tooth position, loss of supporting teeth at the back, and constant tongue thrusting against the front teeth
• Existing causes such as skeletal pattern, malocclusion, or tooth morphology

With that being said, if you leave it untreated, a deep bite may lead to teeth and gum disease, irreparable teeth damage due to grinding, severe jaw pain & headaches, and difficulty in speaking.

Now that you are well-versed in the possible problems that come under the branch of orthodontics, let us brief you about the different treatments known to fix these problems.

Common Orthodontics Treatment Cover

Simply put, orthodontic treatments are ways using which orthodontists straighten misaligned teeth and fix orthodontic issues. They are important for two main reasons:

• To make teeth look more aesthetically pleasing so that one can smile confidently
• To improve the long-term health of teeth, gums, and jaws

There are various types of orthodontic treatment options, including the likes of braces (which has multiple subtypes as well), clear aligners, retractors and surgery.

While orthodontic braces have been the go-to treatment option over the years, clear aligners have been greatly transforming the way people get their teeth problems fixed lately.

That’s mainly because, unlike braces, clear aligners are removable, comfortable, and almost invisible to the naked eye. Meanwhile, they’re still as effective as traditional methods of orthodontic treatments and work by putting gentle pressure on your teeth to get them to their ideal position.

After one has corrected their misalignment using clear aligners, one needs to ensure that the teeth do not shift back to their original position. This is where orthodontic retainers come into the picture. Orthodontic retainers are worn to keep the newly aligned teeth in place for as long as possible.

If the orthodontic problem is severe or results are not obtained with any of the above mentioned methods then surgery may be recommended by an orthodontist.

Average orthodontic treatment cost in India

As there are various ways to treat an orthodontic problem, there is no fixed cost of treatment. However, the estimated price of orthodontic treatment in India ranges between ₹20,000 to ₹45,000.

How long does orthodontic treatment last?

The time period of your orthodontic treatment depends on the tenderness of your jaw, the type of treatment you choose, your goals and the severity of the problem. Orthodontic braces on an average take about 1-2 years to fix dental issues while clear aligners may take anywhere between 6 to 12 months.

Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

The aesthetic advantages of orthodontic treatment are obvious. However, these treatments also have advantages in terms of functionality and overall oral health:

• Your teeth will be properly aligned making it easier to clean them
• Improve your bite and help you chew properly
• Reducing TMJ disorder-related pain
• Reduced chances of developing cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems
• Gives you a healthy smile that you can confidently flaunt.

Risks of Orthodontic Treatment

One of the biggest risks associated with any orthodontic treatment is the inability to attain the desired outcome. However, in the majority of situations, the advantages of the treatment outweigh any potential risks and drawbacks. Here are some of the risks associated with these treatments:

• Early tooth decay: If the area around a fixed brace is not maintained clean,
• plaque may begin to accumulate there. This is especially true of people who consume too much sugar.
• Root resorption: Dissolution of the roots of the teeth, may occur due to the movement and binding of the teeth caused by braces.
• Loss of gum support – In some people, wearing orthodontic braces might also lead to inflammation of the gums and increased risk of tooth decay.

Get the best Orthodontic treatment at makeO toothsi

Clear aligners by makeO toothsi are designed to make small tooth movements at a time, and work by putting gentle pressure on your teeth. Also, compared to traditional orthodontic braces, clear aligners fix your teeth problems in a much more convenient way. Speaking of which, one of the best parts about choosing clear aligners over metal braces is that there are no food restrictions at all with aligners!

That’s right, unlike orthodontic braces, you can still enjoy the likes of popcorn, pizza, and all your favourite foods while fixing your orthodontic issues with clear aligners.

Here’s how toothsi aligners go the extra mile in ensuring a highly comfortable and convenient experience for you:

• makeO toothsi aligners offer an at-home smile makeover solution! Meaning you don’t have to step out of your home to straighten your teeth and flaunt that smile you so deserve!
• We’re backed by orthodontists with over 10 years of experience, who guide you at every step along the way
• Our prompt customer support ensures that none of your queries go unanswered
• And since your aligners will be delivered to your doorstep, you won’t even have to go to a dentist for follow up visits. Instead, you’ll be able to track your progress via our app, and share it with our expert orthodontists as well.

FAQs

What does orthodontics mean?

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and correction of crooked teeth, misaligned jaws, and irregular bite patterns.

Is an orthodontist different from a dentist?

Dentists and orthodontists both assist patients in enhancing their oral health, but in different ways. Orthodontics is a subspecialty of dentistry that focuses on improving bites, misalignment and the straightness of teeth. Dentistry is a vast medical speciality that deals with the teeth, gums, nerves, and jaw.

Can orthodontists remove wisdom teeth?

Yes, an orthodontist can extract wisdom teeth. Although it can depend from professional to professional.

What is orthodontics used for?

The special branch of orthodontics focuses on improving your bite and straightening your teeth. If your teeth are crooked, overlapped, twisted, or gapped, you may need to visit an orthodontist.

Why is orthodontics expensive?

Tooth movement is a slow and gradual movement. Your orthodontist may have to treat you for months, sometimes years, to fix your dental problems, resulting in a heavy cost of orthodontic treatment.